Chennai: The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi has indigenously designed and developed Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gearbox (AMAGB) for Light Combat Aircraft LCA-Tejas application.

CVRDE has now successfully obtained the type approval for AMAGB from CEMILAC. The Type Approval Certificate was handed over by Dr. K. Tamilmani, Distinguished Scientist, Chief Executive CEMILAC to Shri. P. Sivakumar, Director CVRDE on 04th December 2010 at a function at CVRDE, where delegates from ADA, CEMILAC and DGAQA participated.

As a pre-curser to induction into Indian Air force, 'Type Approval' from CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification) is mandatory.

The Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gearbox (AMAGB) is capable of transmitting 250 HP at 16,810 rpm with less than 38 kg of weight. It operates in two modes - Starter mode and Accessory mode. In starter mode, it aids in starting the engine through Jet Fuel Starter (JFS). In accessory mode, it drives accessories namely, two hydraulic pumps and an Integrated Drive Generator (IDG).

This gearbox has undergone strenuous environmental and structural test. Further, this gearbox has also undergone 1000 hours of Endurance Test. Till date, AMAGB gearboxes have undergone more than 2000 hours of flight testing.